Coleus makes a splash

For plants guaranteed to grab attention trv coles. Just a few added to a landscape or container can make a bold statement. Many gardeners use cool pastel colors in summer gardens, while others choose bold foliage.

Increasingly popular, coleus takes sun or shade depending on the selection. It grows little in spring's cool temperatures, but once summer's heat sets in, it shoots up, rapidly becoming bushy.

If you start with transplants, water them frequently (two or three times weekly) until they are established; then reduce waterings to once a week. Large-leaved selections will droop in extremely hot or dry weather, but they'll recover quickly if you don't let them get totally dry. Coleus do not need much fertilizer, will grow in poor soils, and have few pest problems.

These plants can grow from 6 inches to 3 feet in height. Taller-- growing selections may need to be pinched back occasionally to maintain a full shape. Yes, coleus do bloom, but that is not what makes them special. In fact, any flowers that appear will need to be clipped off to encourage new growth. It's the different leaf shapes and exotic colors that make these plants a treasure in the garden. The foliage can range from lime green to burgundy red, and some selections sport variegated and multicolored leaves.

Shade-loving coleus can brighten wooded areas where flowering plants won't grow. They also combine well with ferns and other fine-- textured foliage. Mix sun-loving coleus with flowers in a sunny border or in containers. Place brightly colored coleus beside light-colored blooms for contrast.

So, when you're searching for color, don't forget about coleus. When many other annuals and perennials quit blooming in the summer, the bright, showy leaves of coleus can pull your garden through the lean times.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Aug 2002
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